Group holding pit bull walk to raise awareness

Southeast Pit Bull Advocates says the breed is getting a bad rap and the group wants to change that.

CURT BROWN

Southeast Pit Bull Advocates says the breed is getting a bad rap and the group wants to change that.

Nichole Medeiros, the group's president, said pit bulls aren't inherently bad dogs but can become vicious and dangerous animals just like any other dog if raised that way by irresponsible owners.

Most pit bulls owners are responsible, she said.

That's the message her group is trying to convey via a walk along a couple of trails from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Myles Standish State Forest. The walk, the group's first, coincides with National Pit Bull Awareness Day, Medeiros said.

The event is free and open to all dog owners, not just pit bulls, she said. However, any dog-aggressive or people-aggressive dogs should be left at home. All dogs must be vaccinated and proof is required either through a tag or paperwork, she said.

Medeiros said she expects about 100 dog owners to attend and they hope to change some minds.

"Pit bulls aren't like they're portrayed in the media," said Medeiros, who lives in Taunton and owns two pit bulls. She said any dog, even a golden retriever, can be aggressive if they are raised that way.

"If you bring them to obedience classes and you're a positive pack leader, they're amazing, loving dogs," said Allison Denning, of Rochester, who also owns a pit bull. "They were always known as the nanny dogs because they would baby-sit the family kids."

Medeiros said a raffle of donations from local businesses, including many gift certificates, will be held as part of the walk. Proceeds will benefit BraveHeart Rescue, a pit bull adoption organization in Lakeville.